Frugal Kick

Getting Started with Bentos

I pack lunch for Bee and I each evening after dinner. It saves at least $10-15 dollars daily and makes good use of dinner leftovers that might otherwise go uneaten.

The bento boxes I recently purchased make packing lunches easy. I favor the boxes that include 2-3 removable trays such as this box by Asvel because I can pack both hot and cold foods and remove the hot portion for reheating. The trays also keep the food flavors separate and the overall presentation is appetizing.

So far, my favorite sources for bento boxes and related supplies are a local Japanese market called Marukai, its related discount store called Marukai 98 Cent, and eBay. There are several bento box sellers on eBay, many of whom ship directly from Japan. I got several cute, cartoon character boxes with matching lunch bags for Bee this way.

Toddler Lunches

Bee recently started attending preschool every day and I've entered into the world of packing lunches. The alternative is to pay $4.50 for a school-prepared lunch that Bee may or may not eat and would probably cost me less than half that to prepare myself.

Being the internet junkie that I am, as I contemplated what foods would be appropriate for a toddler's lunch, I came across the idea of bento lunches and this website. Apparently, like being frugal currently is, bento lunches are quite trendy.

After a sad bento-less first week at preschool while I was still researching this lunch idea and acquiring the needed equipment and supplies, we're off to a great start. Bee loves her bento boxes and I like to think that she's the envy of her classroom.